Power (Watts)

Use of a Low Voltage Dimmer Reduces Energy Consumption

Installing a low voltage dimmer is a great way to reduce electrical usage and provides the option for additional ambiance when appropriate. While all dimmers work on the same basic principle, care must be used to choose an appropriate dimmer to handle the type of lighting it is connected to. Dimmers can also be used to control the speed of fans when desired.

TYPES OF DIMMERS

There is no “one size fits all” low voltage dimmer. Make sure to choose the dimmer that matches the type of lighting in use:

Incandescent and/or halogen bulbs require the use of a forward phase control dimmer that is rated to handle periods of unequal positive and negative current resulting in a net DC voltage.

Electronic low voltage (ELV) lighting, also known as solid-state transformer supplied low voltage lighting, requires a reverse phase control dimmer able to maintain very balanced amounts of positive and negative current.

Fluorescent bulbs require an electronic fluorescent dimming ballast rated and designed specifically for the type of fluorescent bulbs in use.

Light emitting diodes (LEDs) must be connected to an appropriate low voltage dimmer that is matched to the type of LEDs in use.

DIMMERS DISSIPATE A PORTION OF THE LOAD AS HEAT

A low voltage dimmer will dissipate a portion of the load it is connected to as heat. Dimmers must be wider than a typical switch to provide enough surface area for heat dissipation, but they are often ganged together to fit within the wall space of a regular switch. According to the UL limit, a dimmer can dissipate no more than 20% of the load as heat, a figure that translates into 80% efficiency. Higher grade dimmers dissipate less than 10% as heat. All are designed to stay below the UL limit of 140 degrees Fahrenheit.

HIGH QUALITY DIMMERS FOR MULTIPLE INDUSTRIAL APPLICATIONS

Energy Recovery Products designs high quality dimmers and other energy saving devices in California. Those products are then manufactured in China and marketed to multiple industries, such as lighting, medical, computing markets, and more. Three to five year warranties are provided on the majority of our products to guarantee their quality production.

Related Content

Forward phase dimming is the most common dimming method used in the U.S., with over 150 million controllers in current operation. While it is surpassed by reverse phase dimming in some ways, it still has many important benefits, which include.

Because LED light output is proportional to the current, it’s possible to dim LED lights,Êprovided that the dimming system used is compatible with the LED driver, excellent LED dimming performance is achievable.

LED lights offer many benefits. They are economical, efficient, don’t flicker, and there’s no delay when switching on. Light output is easily varied using a LED dimming driver. While notÊinitially the cheapest option, the long-life expectancy and low energy consumption means LED lights are more economicalÊin the long run.

You have two ERP PowerÊdimmable constant voltage LED driver choices: 1) The UHD160 Series with dimensions of 51mm in width, 102mm in length or 26mm in height 2) The UHD365 Series with dimensions of 76mm in width, 127mm in length or 33mm in height.

LED technology is evolving rapidlyÊand consumers are reaping the benefits of lower energy bills each and every month. While energy savings are the leading reason companies and homeowners are making the switch, there are many other benefits to consider when choosing to install dimmable LED lighting. These benefits include longevity, convenience, comfort, efficiency, and safety.Ê

ERP provides power supplies, the leading edge dimmer switch you need for your LED lighting, and constant current LED drivers. Industries far and wide have benefited from our products, which are designed and manufactured in a top plant in China Ð although our home base is the tech ground zero of Moorpark, CA. Peruse ourÊwebsite for more information of the range of products we carry. ÊYou can also find our contact information there.

LED lighting is well-known for its capabilities in providing a comfortable, well-lit setting, and energy efficiency. While a simple “on-and-off” setup using LEDs can save you a great amount ofÊmoney on unnecessarilyÊhigh electric bills, a dimmable LED system can amplify your savings exponentially.

An ELV dimmable LED driver is also known as a “trailing edge” dimmer. It works like this: the alternating current input waveform is turned off at the end; that is: before the “zero crossing”. Traditionally, this kind of technology is used with electronic drivers or transformers that function with a low voltage, or a “capacitive load”. An ELV dimmable LED driver will not be subject to a huge influx of voltage developing into a large influx of current. Finally, with an ELV dimmable LED driver, dimming won’t result in a buzzing sound.

A 0-10V dimmable LED driver will help save money, contributing to a greener environment while allowing continuous illumination. For greener applications, it makes sense to find dimmersÊwhich can adjust levels from 0 to 10 volts;Êthough sometimes this option will be more expensive. But actually controlling the voltage directly via dimmer affords greater control of not only energy conservation, but expenditure. Not only do LEDs last longer,Êthey’re inherently energy-efficient;Êthe “green” nature of their application comes built in. Certainly, LEDs are still energy-efficient without a dimmable driver; but going the 0-10V option is recommendable for the most energy conservation.

ELV stands for Electronic Low Voltage. An ELV dimmer is known by a number of names. ELV dimmers are also called simply “electronic dimmers”, as well as “trailing edge dimmers”. These names come from the way in which this dimmer transitions your LED’s luminosity.

A 0-10V dimmable LED driver will help save money, contributing to a greener environment while allowing continuous illumination. For greener applications, it makes sense to find dimmers which can adjust levels from 0 to 10 volts; though sometimes this option will be more expensive. But actually controlling the voltage directly via dimmer affords greater control of not only energy conservation, but expenditure. Not only do LEDs last longer, they’re inherently energy-efficient; the “green” nature of their application comes built in. Certainly, LEDs are still energy-efficient without a dimmable driver; but going the 0-10V option is recommendable for the most energy conservation.

They have been around since the early days of fluorescent dimming, and are still an effective method of dimming today. That said, 0-10V dimmers are more likely to be used as LED dimming options that are reliable and controllable today. What a 0-10V dimmer does is mitigate a DC voltage control signal between ten and zero volts. When the unit is set to 10V, it should be at its maximum output. Likewise, when it’s at 0V, it should be at its minimal output.

There are a number of factors to take into consideration when selecting an LED driver. Different manufacturers offer many products that those in search of a led driver will be certain to find that item that meets their needs.

Small, Smart and Connected LED Drivers Through Design Innovation! ERP Power meticulously considers a combination of factors to produce very small, smart and connected LED drivers which are efficient, reliable and cost effective. The ERP Power 2017 platform designs deliver up to 24W per cubic inch of power density at a time when other manufacturers… Read more »

ERP is an LED power supply manufacturer that uses AC-DC power conversion to provide a unique combination of high efficiency, low component count, and high power density. These features are used to design all ERP products andÊare unmatched by most of the other manufacturers.Ê

LEDs Ð Light Emitting Diodes Ð are semiconductor devices that use electrical current passing through semiconductor materials to produce light. Before the LEDs can perform at their max, they require LED drivers to provide better longevity, reliability and efficiency. An LED driver manufacturer creates drivers that prevent damage to your LED setup by regulating voltage based on temperature changes, reducing thermal inefficiency.

LED drivers regulate the power going into a LED or the string(s). What an LED driver will do is respond as per the needs of a LED or LED circuit. It will send a constant level of power into the LED as temperature changes it electrical properties.

LED stands for light emitting diode. It’s a semiconductor device, whichÊemits lights of different colors when electricity flows through it.ÊToday, high power LEDs are trending. They are used in many applications. This includesÊautomobile lights, signage, lighting fixtures, and flashlights.

Increased demand usually translates to higher prices for consumers. As the need for electricity grows, the focus on conservation also continues toÊincrease. Many companies that manufacture electrical products are working hard to develop items whichÊuse less energy, reduce costs, and have a softer footprint on the environment. LED lighting is a perfect example of this innovative approach to the efficient use of electrical power.

If youÕve worked in the lighting industry in an engineering capacity before, then you understandÊhow costly it can be to erect architectural lighting equipmentÊthroughout the structure of a theme park, concert stage or onÊthe night-time deck of a cruise ship. The rgb LED controller is the savior.ÊIt allows millions of bits (potentially) via randomizer to quickly produce the many colors needed for the event in question. ÊBecause it does this intelligently, the hardest part is simply finding out certain parameters and entering these values on the ERP Power website to obtain the specific parts.

The explosive growth of LED technology is one of those things whichÊhave had multi-industry benefits Ð particularly with the invention of the high-output diode. When compared to incandescent, halogens, and mercury-bulbs, the LED is simply the most efficientlyÊknown way to convert an electric current into visible light. InÊother alternatives, a sizable amount of energy is lost as unused waste heat.

If thereÕs a single advantage that LEDs have over formerly traditional methods of providing illumination, itÕs the significantly increased ROI in terms of power conversion. ÊLEDs are much less costly to power and return much more actual light Ð instead of merely wastingÊheat Ð per wattage invested.